Coin-operated safety latch for phone booths and the like

ABSTRACT

A lock for a door, such as the door of a telephone booth, which requires the insertion of a coin to release the lock. When the lock is released to open the door, the coin is returned. The lock can be retained in its released condition until it is desired to return the lock to its locked condition to relock the door.

United States Patent [15] 3,685,627 Davis et a1. [45] Aug. 22, 1972 COIN-OPERATED SAFETY LATCH 502,898 8/1893 Zschernig ..194/32 FOR PHONE BOOTHS AND THE LIKE 3,385,414 5/ 1968 Stackhouse 194/92 [72] Inventors: William Davis, 1859 Nolan St.,

Philadelphia, Pa. 19138; Moses Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Stevenson, 1414 N. 30th St., Attorney-Jacob Trachtman Philadelphia, Pa. 19121 [22] Filed: Oct. 7, 1970 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 78,782 A lock for a door, such as the door of a telephone booth, which requires the insertion of a coin to release [52] U S CI. 19452 the lock. When the lock is released to open the door, 51 int. cl..IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII11111111667: 5/00 the eeih is hemmed The leek be retained in he 58 Field of Search ..194/32-44 released condition until it is desired to return the leek to its locked condition to relock the door. [56] References Cited 3 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 448,024 3/1891 Gray ..194/32 COIN-OPERATED SAFETY LATCH FOR PHONE BOOTHS AND THE LIKE The present invention relates to a door lock, and more particularly to a door lock which is released by inserting a coin and which returns the coin after the lock is released.

Coin operated telephones are provided in booths in public places for the use of the public in general. Since such telephones are so accessible, they are subject to being vandalized causing major maintanence problems. Therefore, it would be desirable to have the telephones less accessible to the public in general, yet still have them easily accessible to those who desire to properly use the telephones. Although a coin operated lock on the door of the telephone booth would discourage vandals from entering the booth, the types of coin operated locks presently available are undesirable since it is not desirable to charge a fee for entering the booth to those who intend to properly use the telephone. However, a coin operated lock which returns the coin after the lock is opened would be desirable since it would discourage vandals from entering the telephone booth, but would allow admission to the booth by persons who have the necessary coins to use the telephone without charging a fee for entering the booth.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a lock for the door of a telephone booth which would limit entrance to the booth to persons having the proper coins for using the telephone but without charging a fee for entering the booth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel coin operated lock.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coin operated lock which returns the operating coin after the lock is released.

These objects are achieved by a lock which includes a latch means in a housing and movable between a latching position in which a latch lug projects from an end of the housing and an unlatched position in which the latch lug does not project from the housing. A locking means is provided which normally locks the latching means in the latching position, but is movable to a position in which the latching means is free to move. The locking means is moved to its unlocked position by inserting a coin into the housing so as to allow the latching means to be moved to its unlatching position. When the latching means is moved to its unlatching position means is provided to return the coin. The locking means is also adapted to hold the latching means in its unlatching position.

The foregoing an other objects of the invention will become more apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a telephone booth which has the lock of the present invention on the door thereof,

FIG. 2 is a perspective'view of the lock of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the lock with the back wall removed,

FIG. 4 is a sectionalview taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, and I FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a telephone booth 10 having a door 12 hingedly mounted along one side onthe door frame of the booth. The lock 14 of the present invention is mounted on the door 12 at its free side and cooperates with the door frame of the booth 10 to lock the door 12 in closed position.

The lock 14 comprises a metal housing 16 having a rectangular, front wall 18, end walls 20 and 22, a top wall 24, a bottom wall 26, and a removable rectangular back wall 28. The back wall 28 is secured to the housing by screws'30 at the corners of the back wall 26. A bracket plate 32 is secured to and extends across the inner surface of the front wall 18 (see FIG. 5). A short arm 34 extends from the end of the bracket plate 32 adjacent the end wall 20 and is parallel to the end wall 20. The arm 34 has an opening 36 therethrough which is is alignment with an opening 38 in the end wall 20. A longer arm 40 extends from the end of the bracket plate 32 adjacent the end wall 22 and is parallel to the end wall 22.

A rectangular, substantially U-shaped chute member 42 is secured to the bracket plate 32 between the arms 34 and 40. The chute member 42 has open ends and extends from adjacent the top wall 24 of the housing 16 to the bottom wall 26 (see FIG. 4). The bottom wall 26 has an opening therethrough at the bottom end of the chute member 42. The top wall 24 of the housing 16 has a narrow coin receiving opening 44 therethrough over the upper end of the chute member 42. The coin opening 44 extends across the top wall 24 between the front and back walls 18 and 26. A pair of spaced, parallel guide arms 46 extend downwardly from the top wall 24 to the upper end of the chute member 42 along the sides of the coin opening 44 (see FIG. 3).

A coin return member 48 extends downwardly from the bottom wall 26 of the housing 16 directly beneath the bottom end of the chute member 42. The coin return member 48 is formed by an extension 18a of the front wall 18 of the housing 16, a bottom 50 extending from the front wall extension 18a beneath and spaced from the bottom wall 26 of the housing, and a pair of spaced sides 52 and 54 extending from the bottom wall 26 to the bottom 50. The side of the coin return member 48 adjacent the back wall 28 of the housing 16 is open to permit access to the coin return member.

A Z-shaped latch plate 56 is mounted within the housing 16. The latch plate 56 has an arm 58 extending along the bracket plate 32 between the chute member 42 and the arm 34 of the bracket member, and an arm 60 extending along the chute member 42. A mounting strap 62 extends across the latch plate arm 58 and is secured at its ends to the bracket plate 32 (see FIG. 3). A mounting strap 64 extends across the latch plate arm 60 and is secured at its ends to the chute member 42. The mounting straps 62 and 64 support the latch plate 56 but allow the latch plate to move longitudinally between the end walls 20 and 22 of the housing 16. A latch lug 66 projects from the end of the latch plate arm 58 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). The latch lug 66 extends through the openings 36 and 38 in the bracket plate arm 34 and housing end wall 20 respectively, and pro jects beyond the end wall 20. A coil spring 68 is compressed between the bracket plate arm 40 and an arm 70 on the end of the latch plate arm 60. The spring 68 urges the latch plate 56 toward the housing end wall 20 and normally holds the end of the latch plate arm 58 in engagement with the bracket plate arm 34. A pair of spaced notches 72 and 74 are provided in the upper edge of the latch plate arm 60 (see FIG. 3). The notch 72 is positioned in vertical alignment with the coin opening 44 when the end of the latch plate arm 58 is in contact with the bracket arm 34. The notch 74 is on the side of the notch 72 toward the latch plate arm 58 and is spaced from the notch 72 a distance equal to the length of the latch lug 66 that projects from the housing 16. A camming lug 76 projects from the side of the latch plate arm 60 away from the chute member 42 and is positioned below and between the notches 72 and 74. An actuating rod 78 is secured to the latch plate arm 58 and extends through an elongated opening 80 in the front wall 18 of the housing 16 (see FIG. 5). A knob 82 is on the end of the rod 78. The opening 80 is elongated parallel to the top and bottom walls of the housing 16.

A locking arm 84 extends across the latch plate arm 60 in vertical alignment with the coin opening 44 in the housing 16. The bottom end of the locking arm 84 is pivotally mounted on a pin 86 projecting from a bracket 88 which is mounted on the chute member 42. A coil spring 90 surrounds the pin 86 and engages the locking arm 84 so as to normally push the locking arm toward the latch plate 56. A locking lug 92 is secured to the side of the locking arm 84 facing the latch plate arm 60 and fits in the notch 72 in the latch plate arm. A U- shaped release arm 94 is integral with the top end of the locking arm 84. The release arm 94 extends through an opening 96 in the top end of the chute member 42 and across the chute member (see FIG. 4). An actuating rod 98 is secured to the locking arm 84 and extends through an opening 100 in the back wall 28 of the housing 16. A knob 102 is on the end of the rod 98.

The lock 14 is mounted in an opening in the free edge of the door 12 with the end wall 20 of the housing 16 being flush with the edge of the door, the top wall 24 and front wall 28 being exposed at the outer side of the door and the back wall 28 and open side of the coin returned member 48 being exposed at the inner side of the door. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the door frame of the booth has a recess 104 in its inner edge which receives the latch lug 66 to lock the door 12 in its closed position.

When a person desires to enter the telephone booth 10 to use the telephone, he inserts a coin into the coin opening 44 in the top wall 24 of the housing 16. The coin is guided by the guide arms 46 into the chute member 42 and is wedged between the release arm 94 and the bracket plate 32 as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4. Since the space between the release arm 94 and the bracket plate 32 is narrower than the diameter of the coin, the coin presses against the release arm 94 so as to pivot the locking arm 84 away from the latch plate 56 against the force of the spring 90. This pivotal movement of the locking arm 84 moves the locking lug 92 out of the notch 72 in the latch plate 56 and thereby releases the latch plate. The party thenmoves the latch plate 56 in the direction away from the bracket plate arm 34 by means of the actuating rod 78 and knob 82 so as to slide the latch lug 66 out of the recess 104 in the door frame.

As the latch plate 56 is moved away from the bracket plate arm 34, the camming lug 76 engages the locking arm 84 and pivots the locking arm further away from the latch plate 56. This also moves the release arm 94 away from the coin so that the coin drops through the chute member 42 into the coin return member 48 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 4. Further movement of the latch plate 56 away from the bracket plate arm 34 brings the notch 74 in the latch plate into alignment with the locking lug 92. By this time, the camming lug 76 has been moved past the locking arm 84 and the spring forces the locking arm back toward the latch plate 56 with the locking lug 92 fitting in the notch 74. This locks the latch plate 56 in its position with the latch lug 66 being completely withdrawn from the recess 104 in the door jam.

The party can now open the door 12 and enter the telephone booth 10 to use the telephone. When the door 12 is opened, the party can retrieve his coin from the coin return member 48 and use the coin to make a telephone call. After the party has finished using the telephone and is leaving the booth 10, he pulls on the actuating rod 98 by means of the knob 102. This pulls the locking arm 84 away from the latch plate 54 and removes the locking lug 92 out of the notch 74 in the latch plate. The spring 68 then pushes the latch plate 56 back against the bracket plate arm 34 so that the latch lug 66 again projects from the end wall 20 of the housing 16. The locking lug 92 then fits in the notch 72 in the latch plate 56 to lock the latch plate in this position. When the party closes the door 12 upon leaving the booth 10, the latch lug 66 becomes reinserted in the recess 104 in the door frame to lock the door in its closed position.

Thus, there is provided a door lock for a telephone booth which requires a coin for unlocking the door so as to discourage vandals from entering the telephone booth, but allowing admission of persons having the proper coins for using the telephone. In addition, the lock returns the coin used to open the door so that the party can use the coin for making a telephone call and is not charged a fee for entering the booth. Although the lock of the present invention has been described for use on the door of a telephone booth, the lock can be used on any door where it is desired to limit passage through the door to those who have a coin and the coin is to be returned.

We claim:

1. A lock comprising a hollow housing; latch means in said housing and having a latch lug extending through an end of the housing, said latch means being movable between a latching position in which the latch lug projects beyond the end of the housing and an unlatched position in which the latch lug does not project beyond the end of the housing; locking means in said housing and normally engaging said latch means to prevent movement of the latch means but movable to a position which permits movement of the latch means; means permitting a coin to be inserted in said housing so that the coin engages the locking means and moves said locking means to its position permitting movement of the latch means; and means for returning the coin when the latch means is moved to its unlatched position; the housing including front and back walls connected together in spaced relation by top and bottom walls and a pair of end walls; the latch means comprising a latch plate supported in said housing for movement between the end walls of the housing, the latch lug is on one end of the latch plate, a spring is compressed against the other end of the latch plate and urges the latch plate to its latching position, and a rod is secured to said latch plate and extends through an elongated opening in the front wall of the housing to permit the latch plate to be moved from its latching position to its unlatched position; the means for returning the coin includes a chute member in the housing extending between the top and bottom walls of the housing, and a coin return member extending from the bottom wall of the housing and opened to the bottom of the chute member; the means for permitting a coin to be inserted in the housing comprising an elongated narrow opening in the top wall of the housing over the chute member; the locking means including a locking arm extending across the latch plate in vertical alignment with the coin receiving opening in the top wall of the housing, a locking lug on said locking arm, an opening in said latch plate into which the locking lug fits when the latch plate is in its latching position, and spring means engaging said locking arm and urging the locking arm toward the latch plate; and including a release arm extending from the locking arm across a portion of the chute member directly under the coin receiving opening in the top wall of the housing so that a coin inserted in the coin receiving opening will engage the release arm and move the locking arm away from the latch plate to move the locking lug out of the opening in the latch plate; the latch plate having a second opening therethrough spaced from said first opening and adapted to receive the locking lug when the latch plate is moved to its unlatched position.

2. A lock in accordance with claim 1 including a camming lug projecting from the latch plate and positioned between said openings in the latch plate, said camming lug engaging the locking arm when the latch plate is moved from its latching position to its unlatched position and moving the locking arm so that the coin is released and can drop through the chute member to the coin return member.

3. A lock in accordance with claim 2 including a rod secured to said locking arm and extending through an opening in the back wall of the housing, said arm permitting the locking arm to be moved away from the latch plate so as to remove the locking lug from the openings in the latch plate. 

1. A lock comprising a hollow housing; latch means in said housing and having a latch lug extending through an end of the housing, said latch means being movable between a latching position in which the latch lug projects beyond the end of the housing and an unlatched position in which the latch lug does not project beyond the end of the housing; locking means in said housing and normally engaging said latch means to prevent movement of the latch means but movable to a position which permits movement of the latch means; means permitting a coin to be inserted in said housing so that the coin engages the locking means and moves said locking means to its position permitting movement of the latch means; and means for returning the coin when the latch means is moved to its unlatched position; the housing including front and back walls connected together in spaced relation by top and bottom walls and a pair of end walls; the latch means comprising a latch plate supported in said housing for movement between the end walls of the housing, the latch lug is on one end of the latch plate, a spring is compressed against the other end of the latch plate and urges the latch plate to its latching position, and a rod is secured to said latch plate and extends through an elongated opening in the front wall of the housing to permit the latch plate to be moved from its latching position to its unlatched position; the means for returning the coin includes a chute member in the housing extending between the top and bottom walls of the housing, and a coin return member extending from the bottom wall of the housing and opened to the bottom of the chute member; the means for permitting a coin to be inserted in the housing comprising an elongated narrow opening in the top wall of the housing over the chute member; the locking means including a locking arm extending across the latch plate in vertical alignment with the coin receiving opening in the top wall of the housing, a locking lug on said locking arm, an opening in said latch plate into which the locking lug fits when the latch plate is in its latching position, and spring means engaging said locking arm and urging the locking arm toward the latch plate; and including a release arm extending from the locking arm across a portion of the chute member directly under the coin receiving opening in the top wall of the housing so that a coin inserted in the coin receiving opening will engage the release arm and move the locking arm away from the latch plate to move the locking lug out of the opening in the latch plate; the latch plate having a second opening therethrough spaced from said first opening and adapted to receive the locking lug when the latch plate is moved to its unlatched position.
 2. A lock in accordance with claim 1 inclUding a camming lug projecting from the latch plate and positioned between said openings in the latch plate, said camming lug engaging the locking arm when the latch plate is moved from its latching position to its unlatched position and moving the locking arm so that the coin is released and can drop through the chute member to the coin return member.
 3. A lock in accordance with claim 2 including a rod secured to said locking arm and extending through an opening in the back wall of the housing, said arm permitting the locking arm to be moved away from the latch plate so as to remove the locking lug from the openings in the latch plate. 